Have a question?

We get e-mails almost everyday asking questions about care and nutrition for our long eared friends and also asking for help in locating the perfect donkey for your individual situation or from folks looking for a good home for their donkeys.

E-mail us at info@turningpointedonkeyrescue.com with any donkey related questions. We try to answer your questions ASAP!

Recently we received an e-mail from Michelle Eberle asking for advice about castrating an intact jack that she had purchased at a sale barn.....

----- Original Message -----

From: Eberle, Michelle

To: info@turningpointedonkeyrescue.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:40 PM

Subject: rescue

Hello- I was at a local sale barn 2 weeks ago ( cattle sales) and standing in a little stall was a small jack. His weight was

Good, he was very friendly and let me handle him. But his hooves were like sled runners--- totally neglected! He placed his

Nose in my hand and I told my hubby that I was going to �save� the donkey. The sale started and goats were sold first.

Finally, in came the small jack. There were no bids. Then a really nasty looking man bid $2.00. I counter bid. When it was over, I had bought � Chance� ( his new name) for $10.00. He had no halter on, so I fashioned him one from twine.

He rode home quietly and happily. My farrier was able to trim the hooves so that they are much improved. He said that it

Will take him awhile to totally fix them. He has been wormed and vaccinated. He is my third rescued donkey. I have

Several geriatric horses and a solid paint mare that I show. My question is: Chance is so laid back and gentle. Do I need

To have him gelded? I had my other two gelded. Purdue University large animal hospital is where I take them. I have a

Tentative appointment set for him the second week of Dec. please advise, thanks so much! I just could not go home without him. Michelle

From: sharon windsor [mailto:akaminidonkeys@fnwusers.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 01, 2009 11:44 AM
To: Eberle, Michelle; info@turningpointedonkeyrescue.com
Subject: Re: rescue

Hello Michelle,

First let me thank you for getting this little guy from the cattle auction. I agree that if the other bidder had gotten him there is no telling what his future would be. With you, I am sure that he will remain safe, healthy, and happy. He is now in the company of other donkeys which is so very important to our long ears.

By all means keep your appointment for Chances surgery at Purdue. Keep in mind that at this time Chance is the new guy at your farm. I would think that he has had a rather checkered, unstable past. It is quite clear that no one he has ever lived with has thought enough of him to have his surgery done. Although spring is a long way off when it arrives you may see a marked increase in jack behavior from him. We do know that jacks that are castrated going into the winter months "cool off" faster than those castrated in the spring. Several years ago Turning Pointe had two adult jacks castrated at Purdue. The care was excellent! You and your donkeys are fortunate indeed to have that facility available to you.

As the many long ears in need could use more kind people like yourself, would you have any objection to TPDR posting your email and my response on our website?

Doing so may just inspire others to help a donkey in need as you have done now with three ?

Also how a picture of your three rescues?

Hope to hear back from you soon.

Sharon

----- Original Message -----

From: Eberle, Michelle

To: sharon windsor

Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 1:23 PM

Subject: RE: rescue

Hi! Chance was castrated this am at Purdue by Dr. Hawkins ( a wonderful vet) He will be coming home tonight! The student at the clinic says he was a favorite patient with the students. Poor little guy, wish he could talk and tell us of his past. But, he has a real home now, and he will fit right in with the rest of the crew. Michelle

More below are intact jacks:

INTACT JACKS ARE NEVER SUITABLE AS GUARDIAN ANIMALS !!!

They frequently injure and sometimes KILL the very sheep and goats they are supposed to protect. This certainly does not indicate that the donkey is a bad tempered animal. It simply means that he is a dominant, un-castrated male doing what is very normal jack behavior. Much more information on this subject is available from American Donkey And Mule Society. www.lovelongears.com

Our president and founder Sharon Windsor has been emailing back and forth with Dinah Coop of Oklahoma, attempting to help her with little Nester. Nester came to them from a large petting farm that experienced a catastrophic fire that resulted in the death of a huge number of animals living there.

What a lucky little donkey Nester is to have found such a wonderful new home. He now gets to go to horse shows with his new best friend Douglas. How cool that this brave little donkey has explained to GREAT BIG DOUGLAS that it is just fine to load up and go off on a ride in the trailer!

Dinah says:

Sharon, I apologize for not responding sooner. I received the information that you mailed to me. It was useful and we have enjoyed the copies of "The Brayer".

I've attached a picture of Nester at the horseshow last weekend. He was a definite hit with most of the participants but I heard that some complained about his vocal talents. In 2 months he has changed from a sad sick baby to a very energetic & vocal member of our equine family. The gelding I show has trailer issues (for the past 13 years) but now that Nester is going with him he has no problems at all. We are also able to turn them out together & they both enjoy the companionship. Nester can stand his own ground if Douglas gets a little pushy.

The farrier was out to trim Nes last week and the new hoof is almost complete. I'm still wrapping it for added stability until the pressure line from the old hoof is totally gone. His appetite picked up with the help of B12 & alfalfa. Now he eats with gusto & has been switched back to grass hay. He runs, bucks, leaps, chases & entertains us greatly. Dean says he might be faster than some of his racehorses! (And to think that in February we were worried that he might not make it)

I appreciate your time, advice & interest in the problems we faced when Nester came to live with us. It's nice to finally have a low maintenance & healthy donkey!

Dinah Coop

Keep up the good work Nester!

Your friends at Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue

Brad Boyles recently needed some help with a mini jack. Thanks for writing to us Brad! We applaud Brad for working as suggested with his new young donkey!

Dear TPDR,

Hello, we recently purchased a yearling mini jack as a future cart prospect and a buddy for our older jennet. He was not handled much during his first year and we are in the process of trying to win his trust. He is very skittish. We have not had him gelded yet. How long should it take to get him to accept us? We are waiting on getting him used to a halter and being handled until we take him to get gelded. Should we get him gelded right away? We have had horses for years, but this is our first experience with a young donkey. Any advice on best way to proceed?

Thanks, Brad J. Boyles

Dear Brad

We get lots of donkeys into the rescue that have been handled very little or not at all. I really enjoy working with these animals. He should be kept in a small area by himself till he learns that you are his only and best friend! Remember HE is more comfortable with the other animals as that is what he is used to. It would be much easier for me to advise you on his socialization and training by phone than by email. If you wish to phone me, I can be reached at 517-623-0000. Sharon

Hello. We had a conversation earlier in the week concerning my yearling mini donkey. I am using my home e-mail. Be level with me....are they all this smart or do I have an exceptional donkey?

We have done the training routine you suggested for 3 days and he is making great progress. We went on our maiden voyage on a lead though the aisle way of the barn and it took only the slightest pressure to bring him right along. He has stopped hunkering down when I approach him and he sure likes his treats and brushing.

I have found the ADMS website and will be joining soon.

Thanks for the help!

Brad Broyles

Fred Weber of Hilliard, Ohio recently wrote us looking for homes for their five family pets. It was a heartrending decision for he and his wife to part with their longtime friends, but his wife's health dictated the decision to place the donkeys.

What a bittersweet ending, the donkeys are gone, but Fred and his wife are comfortable with the placement and they are welcome to visit.

-----Original Message-----

From: Fred Weber

Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2007 12:58 AM

Subject: Donkeys Hilliard, Ohio

Last month I called you to find out about your Donkey rescue. I was having problems finding a good home for my 5 miniatures. Due to our health/age we can no longer take care of our 5-1/2 acres. We were planning to sell late summer giving us time to find the proper home for our donkeys but someone wanted our place and we found a smaller house close to our daughter so everything happened 3 months sooner than we planned. I could not sleep at night and had a knot in my belly most of the time worrying about them.

I must tell you I sleep better after talking to you and finding out that if everything failed there was someone like you willing to help. You sent me the paper work to fill out to transfer the ownership to your organization.

I did not contact you back any sooner because several people said they were interested but no one ever came to see them. A couple of weeks ago we were contacted by a very nice lady who loves donkeys and said she was interested in 3 and her brother wanted 2. We checked out where they lived and found they had a good place/barn/pasture and already had 2 donkeys and a lama. So on the 19th she picked up the donkerys.

I must thank you for talking to me and letting me know it was possible to get help. We loved our donkeys almost as much as our children. They gave us great pleasure and gave love back to us. We had horses for years but never became as attached to them like the donkeys. As you know only those who have donkeys can understand what great pets donkeys can be. My wife and I cry every morning when its time to feed but they are gone. One good thing is that they are close enough to go see and hug them.

I must tell you that you must be a very special person. You no doubt must love donkeys very much. I wish you the best and hope you can keep up the work you do for the sake of those very special donkeys. Again Thank you. Fred Weber. Hilliard, Ohio.

Madge Bibler recently wrote us as she searched for a missing family pet. Happily, her situation ended on a happy note!

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:22 PM

Subject: frodo from January adoption

I was going through your list of adopted donkeys and came across "frodo's" picture. He looks so much like the donkey that I've been searching for since last October. I wrote you last year explaining that we thought that we had adopted our "Bubba" out to a good family only to find out that they got rid of him and his goat buddy "Fred". The family from LaPorte that adopted them were unwilling to give us any information about what happened to them except that "they're gone". Your picture of Frodo looks so much like Bubba. Could you give me any information on how you got him? Did he come with a goat? I just need to know that, when/if I find him, that he has gone to a good home. Any help that you can give me would be really appreciated.

Madge Bibler

----- Original Message -----

From: sharon windsor

Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 12:15 AM

Subject: Re: frodo from January adoption

Hi Madge, I could almost say for certain that your friend "Bubba" is Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue Frodo! He was purchased for our rescue by a friend at the Shipshewana Horse auction . I drove to Indiana on Nov.3rd,2006 and picked up three donkeys from our friend that purchased them from the sale the week previous to that. They did not have Coggins tests, so as I recall, they were run through the killer pen! When he arrived here he was frightened to the point of standing and shaking. I buddied him up with another little gelding till that one was placed in a new home in Alpena, Mi. I am happy to tell you that Bubba/Frodo found the most loving home you could imagine. He went to join a mini horse gelding that had just lost his his best friend following a colic surgery at MSU. HE IS MUCH LOVED BY HIS ENTIRE NEW FAMILY! I am sorry to say that I know nothing of little Fred. If you contacted me earlier about this, I evidently did not receive your email. I am so sorry that you had to waite and wonder all this time about your pets. Our rescue exists to find homes for donkeys such as him and so many others like him. Evidently your "good home" was interested in making a fast buck on your animals. You may phone me if you like 517-623-0000 Sharon

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 1:49 PM

Subject: Re: frodo from January adoption

You have no idea how happy I am. It all originally started when a friend asked me to temporarily take her goat and donkey because she was moving to the city. She had had them both for 10 years and was quite attached. My husband and I really wanted to keep them (we have six donkeys and six minis of our own) but, the township came through and told us that we were over the limit for farm animals. So... our farrier put us in contact with what he said would be a very good home. They had children and had always wanted a donkey. Their farm looked nice and they sincerely sounded like a very good home. Within two weeks (mid October), the animals were gone and the family and farrier would not tell us where they went (now I know why). The timing is right and it sure does look like Bubba. I have been spending the past seven months scouring the internet for these two. I'm not sure why my e-mail never got to you...although I was having computer problems about that time, but, that's why I never rechecked your web-site. I'm just so glad that one of them was found. I will still hunt for Fred, although my hopes are dwindling. But, I never thought that I would find either. Thank you so much!!!

Madge Bibler

----- Original Message -----

From: sharon windsor

Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 6:03 PM

Subject: Re: frodo from January adoption

Hi Madge, The one defining area on Bubba/Frodo is a long area missing from the anterior portion of his right ear. That is evident in the pictures that you sent to me. Happy Day! This was all ment to be. Thank you for getting back to me, sometimes when we try to help folks out, we never,ever are told how things work out. I would consider putting this story on our site with your permission of course,and certainly not use any names etc. What do you think? If you EVER find a donkey (or donkeys) that need a helping hand please take them out of the circumstances there in and contact our rescue. We have members in your area,and will pay their bail,vet, etc. If you would send me your mailing address, I will send you some brochures and business cards. Thanks for the picture of your place, it is lovely. Sharon

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2007 9:20 PM

Subject: Re: frodo from January adoption

That is what made me think that it was Bubba. I had never seen an ear like that before!!!

Feel free to use my name and any other names that you wish (that won't get you into trouble!!)

After the Bubba/Fred story took place, we bought another three acres, so that this would never happen again. If we find a donkey in need, we will certainly take it in and contact you. If any one in my area ever needs to spend some time with donkeys to decide if it's what they want, send them to us. Donkeys are the most incredible animal and I can't believe more people don't have them.

Madge

p.s....a check is coming your way. I am sooooo grateful!

Please, if the family that has Frodo ever needs to find him another home, let me know. I will never, never give another pet away. This has taught me an amazing lesson. I have gone to the Shipswewana kill pens and it breaks my heart that Bubba was sent there.

Also, let them know that he loves to play soccer!!!

The former "Bubba" at home with his pals

Recently Darlene Eichert of Orwigsburg PA wrote to us and asked for help locating the perfect home for her two donkeys "Flapjack and Amos". After e-mailing back and forth with our President, Sharon Windsor, Darlene was lucky enough to find a great home just 3 miles down the road from her home!

She was also kind enough to drop us a note and let us know how things turned out! THANKS DARLENE!

Dear Sharon,

Hello! I hope you remember me, Darlene Eichert from Pennsylvania. I'm writing to let you know I found a perfect home for my two donkeys "Flapjack and Amos". They were adopted by a very nice lady 3 miles up the road from me.

She lost (had to put down) her donkey and 1 year ago and her Hanoverian mare missed him terribly, so on Saturday, March 31st, they were delivered after 2.5 hours of trying to get Amos into the trailer (Flapjack walked right in!)

"Goodie" the Hanoverian mare loves Amos. She licks his ears as if he was a foal. I'll miss them deeply but they couldn't have received a better home.

I want to thank you for your time and all the effort you put into everything you do for these great creatures. I wish you good health, strength and blessings.

Thank you, Darlene